1. Biology 20- Unit 1: Ecology
Part 1- What is an Ecosytem?

2. ECOLOGY
Ecology – the study of the interactions between organisms and their biotic and abiotic environment.
4 square INB with definitions: Ecology (in the middle), Biotic, Abiotic, Biodiversity, Dynamic Equilibrium

3. Biotic vs. Abiotic Biotic = the biological or living components.
Abiotic = the non-living components.

4. Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the number of species in an ecosystem.
The greater the number of species (biodiversity) the healthier the ecosystem.

5. Equilibrium
In order for a system to function properly, each component of Earth’s environment must be in a state of equilibrium or balance.
Earth is an example of a system in dynamic equilibrium.
Dynamic equilibrium – is a system in which changes are continuously occurring but the components can adjust to the changes without disturbing the entire system.
Discuss examples of dynamic equilibrium-

6. Order Activity
At your table (without looking in your textbook) rearrange the words to what you think is the correct order of organization:
Population, Ecosystem, Biosphere, Ecotone Community, Organism, Biome

7. Levels of Organization in the Biosphere
Unit A: Energy and Matter Exchange in the Biosphere
Levels of Organization in the Biosphere
Biosphere
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Organism
Ecotones
Order Activity- make 7 flap INB and put in definitions

8. Biosphere Whole living layer around the globe.

9. The Biosphere Earth has three basic structural zones:
the lithosphere (land)
the hydrosphere (water)
the atmosphere (air)
Together, these three zones make up the biosphere.
The biosphere – is the narrow zone around Earth that harbours life.

10. The Biosphere
Have another INB for Biosphere separately

11. Biome
A biome is a region that is characterized by the dominant plant and animal life and the prevailing climate conditions.

12. Ecosystem
A biotic community plus the abiotic features.

13. Ecosystems
The world is full of many diverse and dynamic ecosystems each with unique soil, vegetation and animals. Humans have varying perspectives on how we are to interact with Earth’s ecosystems.

14. Barrier Reefs
BBC article- BBC youtube-

15. Natural vs. Artificial Ecosystems
Artificial ecosystem – is an area that is planned or maintained by humans.
Ex. Parks, farms and managed forests.
Natural ecosystem – is an area where the living community is free to interact with the physical and chemical environment.
Ex. Lakes, rivers, forests and deserts.
INB of compare contrast

16. Ecotones
Ecosystems rarely have sharp boundaries, and organisms can move back and forth from one ecosystem to another.
An ecotone is the transition area between ecosystems.
Because ecotones often contain species from both bordering ecosystems they tend to have greater biodiversity.

17. Ecotones
Ecotone

18. Community
Several populations living together.

19. Population
A group of individuals of the same species living together.

20. Organism Entire living things (organisms). Usually made of systems.
May be a single cell.
Living.

21. Your response
Research one endangered or at risk ecosystem that you don’t know very much about yet.
Tell us about:
1. The